I know this is past news, but it is still curious that the French voters defied their government and voted against the EU treaty, which I thought they would, in general, support. However after reading the 'whys' the French feel they way they do - I understand completely. Unemployment is just over 10% and economic reforms enacted by their government have not improved their lives. Man does that sound familiar.

Don't get me wrong, nationalism and patriotism is great, even to bleed and die for - but the French vote against the EU Treaty and the general reasons stated by the populous seem to point to a government that is greatly ignoring what the people want. Something perhaps we have seen in our own country at one time or another.

What is also curious to at least me, is that Germany, along with eight other EU memebers have ratified the treaty, but France declined. I thought Germany also had unemployment in the double digits and was experiencing a severe cut in it welfare/unemployment services to it's less fortunate - so why the difference in voting between France and Germany - especially as it seemed, at least those two countries wanted the EU to have this treaty to start countering the US both in economics and in the military. I thought both countries would vote the same way - either yes or no. Also - will the EU treaty help all of the EU members, or only a few - or will the more developed members work to bring less-developed members up to par in areas of finance, health, economics, education, etc.?

Well, the Netherlands started voting, and it will be interesting again to see what happens:

There was no referendum, in Germany the constitution was ratified by parliment.

The French voted no because they are disinfanchised with the present French government anyway and would vote to **** things up for them whatever was presented to them. The new EU constitution was thought to remove some of the protectionist policies that the French have in place in industry i.e. new working hours directive, farming subsidies etc.

The Dutch are looking like voting no but in a much bigger way then the French, I'm not sure of the rational there.

In the UK the consitiution is likely to be voted down (if a referendum is held now) for the opposite reasons to the French in that the consitution will bring in a raft of policies to hinder industry in the UK and remove control from the individual states.

The Duch have Also voted in national referendum on Wednesday, Polls indicated the Netherlands would be the second country reject the idea.............. Recent surveys said 60 percent of voters will say no to the proposal.

Quote:

Dutch say 'No' to EU constitution

Voters in the Netherlands have overwhelmingly rejected the proposed European Union constitution.

Exit polls suggest 63% voted "No" in the referendum. Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende, who urged a "Yes" vote, says he will respect the result.
But observers say voters are unhappy about higher prices since the euro and discontented with the centre-right government.

Many also feel threatened by what they see as a superstate that will interfere with liberal policies such as those on gay marriage and euthanasia.

Others disagree with the swift enlargement of the EU, and oppose the possible inclusion of Turkey.